JODIE Lord, who trained the TAB First4 in race two at Wentworth Park on October 11, could repeat that feat on Friday night as she has qualified with six of the eight runners in the Goulburn To Wenty Final (520m).
In October Lord’s bitch Magic Earner flashed home to beat her kennelmate Cawbourne Cobra by a head with pacemaker Cawbourne Kayono, another from the trainer’s Gunning kennels, a half head away third.
And for good measure another JODIE Lord-trained dog Gotta Plan snared fourth spot.
On Friday night Cawbourne Cobra, Cawbourne Kayono and Gotta Plan line up again along with Let It Develop, Oban and Jack Kade.
But while Cawbourne Cobra has far and away the best Wentworth Park record of her finalists and Gotta Plan was the fastest qualifier, the trainer expects Let It Develop to win.
“Although he has box four this dog is going really well at present and if they leave him alone early I’m confident he will win,’’ Lord said.
“Since the Goulburn heats on October 21 Let It Develop has been back to that track to win in good style on Tuesday.’’
Knocka’s Return pulled up perfectly After scoring his 24th win in 53 starts at his most recent outing at Wentworth Park last Saturday night and should only need a reasonably clear run to win Friday’s Petsnacks Sprint Series Final (520m).
Knocka’s Return has box four but has won three of his six races wearing the blue rug and was badly hampered while trying to find the rails before winning from box eight on Saturday.
“He can begin better than he did last Saturday and if he can find the fence he will come charging home,’’ trainer Mark Wilcox said.
“After this week I’ll probably keep bringing him back to Wentworth Park although I am also considering whizzing him down to Melbourne for a 600 metre race as well.’’
Zola Icon, who would have been a warm favourite for Friday’s Bohemia Crystal Stakes, will not start.
“She has a minor injury and my veterinary surgeon thinks she could do serious damage if she was to run on it,’’ owner Marian Sullivan said.
Zola Icon’s absence gives Army Surplus an outstanding chance of leading throughout.
The Adam Wade-trained dog is well placed in this event as he has won four races at Wentworth Park, a figure none of his rivals has matched.
Army Surplus resumed from a spell to finish second over 618m at Richmond on October 11 and has been freshened up for Friday’s shorter 520m event.
Appin trainer Jason Fletcher looks set for another successful night with siblings Fantastic Sid and Fantastic Pete expected to win the Race That Stops The Nation Stakes and the Trick Or Treat Stakes.
Fantastic Sid has won two of four Wentworth Park starts and has the pace to overcome box five.
Fantastic Pete, although having his first race at the Glebe track, is sure to have been well schooled at the track.
He has had seven starts for four wins and three placings and is poised to get a lovely “sit’’ behind likely pacemaker Spring Missile, who should set a scorching pace from box one but is suspect at 520m, a distance that should suit Fantastic Pete.
Friday’s safest bet should be Paperbond in the Dapto To Wenty Final as he has finally drawn a rails box at Wentworth Park.
Paperbond was an unlucky third from box six at his Wentworth Park debut on October 13 and again had no luck when fourth from box seven there last Saturday night.
He has the early zip required to lead throughout from his ideal box one draw.
Best Bet: Paperbond (race 6)
Best Value: Let It Develop (race 3)
Quaddie: Race 5 – 4, 1, 7
Race 6 – 1, 4, 8
Race 7 – 3, 6
Race 8 – 5, 7
$20 for 55.55%
